Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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91. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of Ireland-Cuba relations; the efforts being made to increase engagement and trade with the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28269/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The bilateral relationship between Ireland and Cuba has been a historically warm one and the hugely successful visit of President Higgins to Cuba in February 2017 marked a new high point in the relationship. A Memorandum of Cooperation between Ireland and Cuba was signed in the sidelines of that visit and it provides a solid foundation upon which to expand our relations with Cuba. The primary aim of the memorandum is to open channels of dialogue and cooperation between Ireland and Cuba across various areas of interest, particularly in trade and cultural engagement.

The Agreement commits both countries to promoting cooperation in economic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, academic, cultural, scientific and tourism relations. Since the signing of the agreement, officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in conjunction with other Government departments and State agencies, have continued to work on growing the relationship across that whole range of areas.

The trade figures speak for themselves in terms of the growth of that aspect of the relationship.

Total bilateral trade in goods with Cuba has increased significantly in recent years, including by 43% in 2016. Goods trade in 2017 amounted to the more modest sum of €2.2 million, and Cuba is now Ireland’s 23rd largest goods trading partner in Latin America. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will continue to support growth in this area.

Furthermore, the recently announced 'Global Ireland – Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025', the Government’s initiative to double the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint in the period to 2025, is a clear indication of our intention to work more closely and intensely with partners across the globe.

This initiative identifies Latin America and Caribbean as a key region for Ireland to expand its influence, trade, and visibility, and the development of our relationship with Cuba will be an important part of this work.

The forthcoming whole-of-government strategy for the Americas and the Caribbean will also reflect the priority which the Government attaches to developing relationships with that part of the world.